SB11 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Cam Ward

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Death penalty, execution by electrocution required under certain conditions, Sec. 15-18-82.1 am'd.

Summary

SB11 would require electrocution to be used for certain death-penalty executions, replacing lethal injection as the default under specific conditions.

What This Bill Does

If a death sentence is issued after the act’s effective date, the execution would be by electrocution when lethal injection is ruled unconstitutional or when an essential injection ingredient is unavailable. Inmates already sentenced to death have a one-time opportunity to elect electrocution in writing within defined timeframes after judgment. If courts declare both methods unconstitutional or if ingredients become unavailable, electrocution or any constitutional method could be used for executions. The bill also sets rules for how drugs for lethal injection are obtained and used, and includes safeguards about procedure and timing.

Who It Affects

• Death-sentenced individuals whose sentence is issued after the act: their executions would shift to electrocution if lethal injection is unconstitutional or essential ingredients are unavailable.
• People already sentenced to death (or with pending judgments): they may have a one-time option to elect electrocution by writing to the warden within specified deadlines.
• The Department of Corrections and state officials: they would determine the availability of lethal-injection ingredients, handle drug preparation, and oversee execution procedures.

Key Provisions

• New death sentences must be carried out by electrocution if lethal injection is unconstitutional or essential ingredients are unavailable.
• Existing death-row inmates have a one-time opportunity to elect electrocution, with specific timing rules for making that choice.
• If courts or the Governor certify issues with lethal injection, electrocution must be used for executions, and any constitutional method may be used if the method is deemed unconstitutional.
• The Department of Corrections may prescribe/dispense lethal-injection drugs; execution procedures are exempt from certain administrative procedures; and no death sentence is automatically reduced if a method is ruled unconstitutional.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses